Changde's ordeal is over, really don't recommend coming in July

🌿 Changde July Travel Guide｜A literary town by the Yuan River, perfect for spicy food + water views!

Changde is in northern Hunan, with the Yuan River running through the city. The average temperature in July is about 28°C, a bit cooler than Changsha🌊. Here you’ll find the stunning Liuyue Lake, the artistic Changde Old Street, and the nationally famous Changde rice noodles🍜—a paradise for foodies and photo lovers!

🗓️Super detailed 2-day itinerary
Day 1
🌅 Morning: Head straight to Liuyue Lake, the water is as clear as glass! Rent a bike and cycle around the lake, the breeze is so refreshing🚴♀️.
🍜 Noon: Eat Changde rice noodles at "Yi De Yi," beef noodles + tiger skin eggs, the broth is rich and the noodles silky smooth!
🌌 Evening: Stroll and snack at Laoximen Night Market, sugar oil rice cakes + spicy meat, so good you won’t want to stop eating🤤.

Day 2
🏞️ Morning: Walk around Taohuayuan Scenic Area, the utopia described by Tao Yuanming, lotus flowers are stunning in July🌸.
🥘 Noon: Eat steamed dumplings at "Wang Jiao’er," thin skin and lots of filling, dipping in chili oil is irresistibly delicious!
🛍️ Evening: Take the Zihe River cruise to enjoy the night view, the lights on both sides are super romantic, perfect for photos to share on social media📸.

🔥Must-visit checklist
1️⃣ Liuyue Lake: Free! Open all day, cycling around the lake is very pleasant, and you can also take a boat cruise to enjoy the lake view⛵.
2️⃣ Laoximen: Free! Open until 22:00, the night market has so many snacks you’ll be spoiled for choice, a must-visit for artsy youth🛍️.
3️⃣ Taohuayuan Scenic Area: Ticket 80 RMB, open 8:00-17:30, the July Lotus Festival is beautiful, perfect for taking photos in Hanfu🌸.
4️⃣ "Yi De Yi" Rice Noodles: About 15 RMB per person, beef noodles are a must-order, the broth is so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise🍜.
5️⃣ "Wang Jiao’er" Steamed Dumplings: About 20 RMB per person, thin-skinned and juicy dumplings that burst with flavor💦!

🏨Accommodation Recommendations
Changde Liuyuan Jinjiang Hotel: River view rooms directly overlooking the Yuan River, super convenient walking distance to Old Street, very stylish decor✨!
Changde Gonghe Hotel: Established four-star hotel, great location, shopping mall and food street right next door, perfect for lazy travelers🛍️!

🚌Transportation Guide
🚄 High-speed train to Changde Station, taxi to downtown about 10 minutes (Heads up: taxi drivers might not know the way well!).
🚌 Bus H1 to Liuyue Lake, bus 5 to Laoximen, frequent service but can be crowded during peak hours🚇.

💡Tips
✅ Why visit: Fewer people, beautiful scenery + lots of delicious food, better for slow travel than Changsha!
❌ Why not: Occasional rain in July, remember to bring an umbrella🌂!

🍜Food Highlights
1️⃣ Changde Rice Noodles: Rich beef broth and silky noodles, paired with tiger skin eggs, absolutely addictive🤤!
2️⃣ Spicy Meat: Fried tofu skin coated with chili powder, spicy and flavorful, a night market must-try🌶️!
3️⃣ Sugar Oil Rice Cake: Soft fried glutinous rice drizzled with brown sugar syrup, sweet but not greasy💕!
4️⃣ Sauced Duck: Spicy and mouth-tingling, but the more you chew the more fragrant it gets, perfect as a souvenir🦆!
5️⃣ Lei Tea: Ground sesame + peanuts + tea leaves into a paste, served with puffed rice to relieve spiciness, locals’ favorite🍵!

💰Expense List (2 days)
Accommodation: Liuyuan Jinjiang Hotel 1 night ≈ 400 RMB (river view rooms are pricier but worth it!)
Meals: Rice noodles + snacks + main meals ≈ 300 RMB
Transport: High-speed train + bus ≈ 150 RMB
Others: Boat cruise + snacks ≈ 100 RMB
Total ≈ 950 RMB, about 500 RMB per person for a great trip!

Changde is truly an underrated treasure town! Fewer crowds than Changsha, more down-to-earth than Fenghuang Ancient Town, July is perfect for escaping the heat + enjoying spicy food🔥. Boating on Liuyue Lake, snacking at Laoximen, Hanfu photos at Taohuayuan—each activity is perfect for sharing on social media!

👇 Like and save, see you next time in Changde!